Political cartoonists use five main persuasive techniques: symbolism, exaggeration, labeling, analogy and irony. They do not always use all techniques, but the employment of several at a time makes for a more sophisticated interpretation of the event portrayed.
This guide from the Library of Congress can be used to identify the persuasive techniques used in political cartoons:
This guide from the Library of Congress can be used to identify the persuasive techniques used in political cartoons:
Cartoonists’ Persuasive Techniques
Symbolism
- ~ Cartoonists use simple objects, or symbols, to stand for larger concepts or ideas.
- ~ After you identify the symbols in a cartoon, think about what the cartoonist means each symbol to stand for.
Exaggeration
- ~ Sometimes cartoonists overdo, or exaggerate, the physical characteristics of people or things in order to make a point.
- ~ When you study a cartoon, look for any characteristics that seem overdone or overblown. (Facial characteristics and clothing are some of the most commonly exaggerated characteristics.)
- ~ Then, try to decide what point the cartoonist was trying to make by exaggerating them.
Labeling
- ~ Cartoonists often label objects or people to make it clear exactly what they stand for.
- ~ Watch out for the different labels that appear in a cartoon, and ask yourself why the cartoonist chose to label that particular person or object.
- ~ Does the label make the meaning of the object more clear?
Analogy
- ~ An analogy is a comparison between two unlike things.
- ~ By comparing a complex issue or situation with a more familiar one, cartoonists can help their readers see it in a different light.
- ~ After you’ve studied a cartoon for a while, try to decide what the cartoon’s main analogy is.
- ~ What two situations does the cartoon compare?
- ~ Once you understand the main analogy, decide if this comparison makes the cartoonist’s point more clear to you.
Irony
- ~ Irony is the difference between the ways things are and the way things should be, or the way things are expected to be.
- ~ Cartoonists often use irony to express their opinion on an issue.
- ~ When you look at a cartoon, see if you can find any irony in the situation the cartoon depicts.
- ~ If you can, think about what point the irony might be intended to emphasize.
- ~ Does the irony help the cartoonist express his or her opinion more effectively?
- (Library of Congress, 2019)